This morning I received a cryptic message from Eddie asking me to be at the church for a dress rehearsal with strict instructions to wear the dress that arrived for me. I don’t want to do it but he is my brother and if he has made his peace with Claire then I have to accept his choice.
I text him letting him know of my arrival when I am standing outside of the church. Minutes later my brother comes through the front doors of the church, closing them quickly behind him.
“You look beautiful, sis.”
“Thanks, but shouldn’t you be in there?”
“We need to talk.” His face matches his serious tone.
“Sure, what’s going on, Eddie?” I take his hands in mine.
“Promise me you’ll hear me out before you freak out on me?”
I narrow my eyes on him. “What’s going on?”
“I brought you here under a lie.”
“What do you mean?”
“Listen and let me do the talking alright?”
I nod even though I am dying to demand answers.
“I’m not the one who is getting married today.”
I start to speak but he gives me a stern look. It’s a look our father used to give us and my heart stutters in my chest. I miss our folks so much.
“Darin told me about Claire. I’m sorry I never listened to you. She’s a nasty bitch. She’ll never be mean to you again. She is out of our lives for good. Anyway, I already paid for a wedding. I thought maybe if you’re up to it…you’d like to make things official and make Darin my brother.”
“Um…What!?” I shriek in his face, dropping his hands. “Does Darin know about this?” I laugh. I mean, this shit is comical. Does he really think he can just push Darin and me together like this?
“He’s waiting inside for you, Faye. He loves you. He has for a long time, and I couldn’t think of two better people to get married. You and him deserve a happy ending.”
“You’re serious?”
He nods.
“Eddie.” I struggle to breath as I grasp at the pearls around my neck. They belonged to my mother.
“You don’t have to. No one is forcing you.”
“I can’t…married. Eddie, have you lost your mind?”
He shrugs. “When you really love someone, who needs to be practical. I wasted so much time trying to fit into Claire’s world. It never really hit me. I shouldn’t have had to change. She should have loved me for who I was not who she wanted me to be. You have that with Darin. I’m just saying…this is my gift to the two of you. If you really love each other nothing should hold you back. Life’s too short.”
“I…” I struggle to find words. “He really wants to marry me?”
“Yes, is that so hard to imagine?” His green eyes matching my own stare at me, willing me to say yes.
“I have to think about this. I can’t marry him today.” I shake my head.
“Okay, Faye. If you need time take it. I’ll go let Darin down easy.”
His words hit me. Pushing all the doubt aside, I think about Darin. His smile. How much he loves his dog. The way it felt when he kissed me. He made my toes curl. No man has ever affected me like he does.
When I think about my life…where I have been…where I am going…I know one thing for sure—there is one man other than my brother who I picture always being in my life and he’s Darin.
“Eddie, wait,” I call after him rush to his side, taking his offered arm. “Are we really doing this right now?”
“Looks like it, Muffin.” He winks and the wedding march begins to play.
My eyes land on Darin who is standing up at the altar just as Eddie said he was. He takes my breath away and when his eyes meet mine, I don’t how to explain it, but I feel it. His love for me. He wants to marry me today. I know it’s crazy. We’ve only shared one kiss, but it was enough to know that we’re meant to be.
I don’t pause to look at who is in the crowd I can’t tear my eyes away from Darin as he stares at me in awe. We make it to the end of the red carpet and Darin steps forward.
A preacher comes forward as well. “Who gives this woman’s hand in marriage?”
“I do,” Eddie says with a smile and kisses my forehead before handing me over to his best friend.
“Hey,” I whisper.
“Hey,” he whispers back.
“Errr..rufff.” I look down to see Beans. Sweet little Beans dressed in a doggy tux and I cry, unable to stop the tears. It’s so sweet. He has a satin pillow strapped to his back with rings on it.
The preacher clears his throat.
“Are we ready to begin?”
Darin looks to me and I ask, “Are we doing this?”
“Only if you want to.”
“You haven’t even asked me,” I tease him and he goes down on one knee.
“Faye Michaels, I have known you most of my life. You have seen me at my best and my worst. You know everything there is to know about me and I know you. Mind and soul and hopefully when we leave here…” his voice drops down low. “Your body. I love everything about you, especially your curves.” I blush. “I have one question. Will you marry me today?”
I bite my lips as he looks up at me expectantly.
“Just say yes, honey,” Linda calls out and I flash her a grin.
“Yes, Darin. Yes, I will marry you today.”